YOURSAY | ‘Here we have the DPM, telling people not to obey decisions made by the courts,’

Zahid calls for Muslim unity to oppose 'out-of-wedlock child' ruling

David Dass: Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that Muslims must stand together in opposing anyone challenging decisions by the National Fatwa Committee, in response to a Court of Appeal ruling that a child conceived out of wedlock can take on his or her father's surname, and that the edict on this by the National Fatwa Committee does not have the force of law.

This is serious. The deputy prime minister is challenging the authority of the civil courts to make decisions affecting the life and liberty of the individual in accordance with law and the Constitution.

Is the National Fatwa Committee to become a legislative body with the power to make laws that can override the Constitution? Is this another step to subordinate the Constitution to shariah law?

Myrights: This is crossing the line! Here we have the deputy prime minister and home minister, on record, telling people not to obey the decisions made by the courts, even calling the court an outsider and warning them not to intervene in matters of Islam.

Effectively, he has just said that fatwas have higher authority than the Constitution. What kind of minister is this? This makes my blood boil! This is the reason why Umno and BN must be abolished!

Anonymous 2436471476414726: I can’t believe this guy is deputy prime minister. He is clearly trying to gain political mileage. But he forgets he is the deputy prime minister and now he is playing the religion card and asking people not to respect the court's ruling.

How can you say you respect the child when, at the same time, you shame him for the rest of his life? Zahid, two wrongs do not make a right. A party which capitalises on religious sensationalisation has no place in our society and should be punished by the rakyat via the ballot box.

Anonymous_1371637464: Such blatant and unconscionable disregard for the Constitution from a federal minister and member of Parliament who has vowed to uphold the Constitution of this country. This is surely treasonous, seditious, disrespectful and, in my view, a warped abuse of innocent children.

Fair Play: The next general election has to be around the corner. This less-than-impressive home minister is now using religion to play his final card and make sure he is not sent into orbit. Just imagine, he is now using religion to counter the judiciary for his political survival and Umno’s hegemony.

Vijay47: You are absolutely right, Zahid. Muslims must be allowed to do anything they want and must be guided by the various fatwas issued. But only the Muslims, OK? Don't go and burden non-Muslims with the ways and practices of Islam.

So how about out-of-wedlock children born to non-Muslims? Will they have any problems getting the names of their fathers onto their birth certificates?

A bit of friendly advice, Zahid - be careful what you wish for. One of these days, in a burst of piety the National Fatwa Committee may issue a fatwa saying that corruption is a sin.

Ex-judge says NRD, Zahid in contempt of court

Mushiro: The National Registration Department (NRD) and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi may be looking at serious legal repercussions, including jail time, for their responses to the Court of Appeal's landmark decision regarding out of wedlock Muslim children.

Former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram said both the NRD and Zahid may have committed contempt of court.

This is a good comment from former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram that both the NRD and Zahid may have committed contempt of court. Zahid has gone against the law and the NRD seems to be blindly supporting Umno.

The problem is, how will the court enforce punishments on these two parties for wilful contempt of court? Failing this, people will lose respect for the courts.

Cry, My Beloved Country!: On top of displaying the heights of arrogance and utter contempt of court, there is also the element of sub judice, as the court case is ongoing pending an appeal by the government.

This is a display of unfettered arrogance because these people have been in power for six decades, so, they believe they are not only above the law, they behave like they are the law. Utterly despicable.

Rick Teo: The litigant should immediately apply for a court order citing contempt of court for NRD and Zahid. Both of them should be committed to prison for holding the appellate court with contempt and odium. This is a serious contempt and should not be allowed to be set as a precedent.

Prudent: So what's new? The inspector-general of police did not comply with a High Court order to arrest a kidnapper. The Court of Appeal did not comply with the Constitution in the case of Lina Joy. It was Islam above the Constitution and the law courts, or the powers-that-be’s version of Islam.

These have set a precedent for the acceptance of contempt of the courts and the Constitution, if the judgment or Constitution is deemed to be against the government's and the courts' version of Islam.

Kangkung: What is a court order to Umno and its ministers? They seem to be above all laws so they can do as they like. Umno being the most powerful organisation is above all courts and judges. So Zahid can do as he wishes, and Umno’s NRD can also defy any court order.

Sa Tombs: Now we all know why the tenure of Chief Justice Raus Sharif and the president of the Court of Appeal were extended while they were still in service. Nobody from Umno seems to have any respect for the courts and or the judges.

The courts deserve the highest respect and honour as they administer justice in the name of His Majesty the King.

By disrespecting their pronouncements, you are actually in contempt of His Majesty...but then what does Umno know about law and order. What they say is the law.

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